Milford Lake spans over 16,000 acres with 33,000 acres of public land surrounding it in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. Water levels fluctuate seasonally with spring typically seeing higher levels, while late summer may experience drawdowns of 3-5 feet. The campgrounds around Milford Lake range from primitive sites with minimal facilities to full-service RV resorts with lakefront access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Milford Lake is known as the "Fishing Capital of Kansas" with abundant catfish, walleye, and crappie. Acorn RV Resort offers direct lake access where "A very beautiful lake, this area is pristine clean and water clear. A very large lake with many areas of camping and fishing."
Mini golf and games: Several campgrounds feature recreational amenities beyond swimming. Walt's Four Seasons Campground includes "Cute put put course. Staff very attentive and nice" and a full recreation area where families can enjoy outdoor activities regardless of weather conditions.
Presidential history: When staying at rv sites near Milford Lake, you can visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library just 20 minutes away. A camper at Covered Wagon RV Resort noted it's "just down the street from President Dwight D Eisenhower presidential museum and library" and suggested to "Check out the The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad heritage railway."
What campers like
Spacious lakefront sites: The campgrounds at Milford Lake feature generous spacing between sites. West Rolling Hills offers "Many lakefront sites, scenic & quiet" where "The sites are far apart, some have large trees, and all seemed to be by the lake."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathroom facilities at rv parks near Milford Lake. One camper noted at Smoky Hill RV Park that "Modern bathrooms and showers. Everything is very clean. Laundry room ($0.25 required)."
On-site amenities: Many campgrounds offer extra conveniences. At Calvin's RV & Tent Camping, campers appreciate that "Booking online through Rover Pass was simple and affordable. There is a guest bathroom in the basement of the office building," while at Walt's Four Seasons, visitors enjoy the "camp store and pond."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds around Milford Lake close during winter months. One reviewer noted about West Rolling Hills: "This area looks fabulous. I was looking forward to staying here in early November, but it was closed. All the Corps campgrounds close for the winter."
Highway noise levels: Some rv sites near Milford Lake experience road noise. At Smoky Hill RV Park, campers note it's "Very close to Highway 70 (you can hear the vehicles)" though it remains "Ideal for an overnight stay on the road."
Weekend crowds: Weekdays tend to be quieter at most Milford Lake campgrounds. At Flagstop Resort, one camper observed it "was not crowded at all throughout the whole week but gets crazy on the weekend with people loud and partying until 1am or so."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Not all swimming areas at Milford Lake are maintained year-round. West Rolling Hills has "a swimming beach which is the best of the parks offerings with sandy bars and well maintained grassy areas for shade. However, due to recent flooding the area is not currently deemed as safe for swimming."
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. Thunderbird Marina & RV Resort has "all kinds of outdoor fun for kids too such as playgrounds and a basketball court!" while Walt's Four Seasons features a "playground for children."
Kid-friendly activities: Beyond swimming and playgrounds, some campgrounds offer additional children's activities. One family staying at Walt's Four Seasons mentioned they "absolutely love staying here" because of family-friendly events throughout the year and amenities like "put-put course, swimming pool with poolside pub, horseshoes, catch & release fishing, walking trail."
Tips from RVers
Site types and hookups: Smoky Hill RV Park features long sites with reliable hookups. "The sites are long, with services and picnic tables on cement patios. No fire pits on the sites but there is one in a common area."
Water quality concerns: RVers should be prepared for varying water quality. West Rolling Hills campers recommend bringing water filters as water hookups may have mineral content.
Big rig accessibility: Many campgrounds accommodate large RVs but site length varies significantly. At Golden Wheat Budget Host and RV Park, one camper warned "RVs tangled... suffocating... screaming for space! You get what I mean. There are like 20 RVs all together in a tiny square between business."
